Dyslexia

• Start with your student’s teacher or building literacy specialists about your concerns. Share what you are noticing with your child’s learning.
• Classroom teachers can provide you with information related to what your child can do, where they are developing and the next steps for instructional supports.
• As part of the school's problem-solving process, classroom teachers will collaborate with specialists in the building to address your questions about your child’s needs.
• Recognizing signs, symptoms and characteristics is the responsibility of all educators as well as implementing instructional supports to address these characteristics. Therefore, a diagnosis is not required to begin supporting a student’s needs.

Conversation starters to use with your child's teacher

This can be very nerve-wracking but also exciting. Your student is neurodiverse, and this can lead to wonderful things! It can also be validating for a student who has struggled with learning to know there is a path to a solution. One of the first steps is to review some resources for your student and understand the diagnosis. As appropriate, you can also talk to your child about the diagnosis. 

Not all students identified with dyslexia will require intensive services such as an IEP through special education. However, classroom supports and accommodations are often necessary for the student to fully benefit from classroom and supplemental instruction.

A great first step is to educate you and your child about dyslexia. The dyslexia resources provided on this page have age-specific resources for students to help them understand and learn more about their uniqueness. You can also read with your student daily and work with your child’s teacher to determine the best way to help your child at home.